Merthyr Tydfil

Merthyr Tydfil's population grew in the decade to 2011. Data from the census show there were changes in marriage, health and relationships.

The population reached nearly 59,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Merthyr Tydfil increased by 5.0%, from almost 56,000 to 58,800.

The addition of about 2,800 people means this area's population increased at a similar rate to the overall population of Wales (up 5.5% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Merthyr Tydfil was home to, on average, 3.8 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across Wales

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across Wales, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Fall in proportion of Welsh speakers

The proportion of Welsh speakers in Merthyr Tydfil fell from 10% to 8.9% in the 10 years leading up to Census 2011.

There are 400 fewer people living here who spoke Welsh compared with 2001, while the number of people who did not spoke Welsh increased by 2,908.

In nearby Rhondda Cynon Taf, the proportion of people over the age of three who could speak some Welsh remained close to 12%. Across Wales, the proportion fell from 21% to 19%.

The proportion of people who could speak Welsh was lower than across Wales

Percentage of people aged three and over that that said they could speak Welsh across local authority areas in Wales and the average across Wales, March 2011

More single people in Merthyr Tydfil

This area saw Wales' second-largest rise in the proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership.

During this period, Merthyr Tydfil overtook Wrexham and Rhondda Cynon Taf to become the Wales local authority area with the fifth-highest percentage of single people.

In 2011, just over one in three (35%) people aged 16 and over in Merthyr Tydfil said they were single, compared with 28% in 2001. The percentage that said they were married decreased from 51% to 45%.

The largest increase occurred in Cardiff (from 38% to 45%).

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership in Merthyr Tydfil increased by 7.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over in Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Wales that said they were single, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

This area saw Wales' largest fall in the proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

Every local authority area across Wales saw a fall in the proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad, as the regional average fell from 12% to 7.6%.

In 2011, just over one in nine (11%) in Merthyr Tydfil said their health was bad or very bad, compared with 18% in 2001. The percentage that perceived their health as good or very good increased from 59% to 73%.

Rhondda Cynon Taf saw the next largest fall (from 16% to 9.6%).

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Merthyr Tydfil decreased by 6.9 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Wales said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

More people cohabiting

This area saw Wales' largest rise in the proportion of households with an unmarried couple.

During this period, Merthyr Tydfil overtook 17 local authority areas, including Isle of Anglesey and Conwy, to become the Wales local authority area with the third-highest percentage of cohabiting households.

In 2011, just over 1 in 10 (11%) households in Merthyr Tydfil had an unmarried couple, compared with 6.4% in 2001. The percentage with just a single person decreased from 29% to 27%.

Blaenau Gwent saw the next largest rise (from 7.1% to 10%).

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple in Merthyr Tydfil increased by 4.1 percentage points

Percentage of households in Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Wales that had an unmarried couple, March 2001 and March 2011

More homes with adult children living with their parents

This area saw Wales' largest rise in the proportion of households with adult children living with their parents.

During this period, Merthyr Tydfil overtook Rhondda Cynon Taf to become the Wales local authority area with the highest percentage of households with only adult children living with their parents.

In 2011, just under one in seven (14%) households in Merthyr Tydfil had only adult children living with their parents, compared with 12% in 2001. The percentage with at least one child decreased from 34% to 32%.

Bridgend saw the next largest rise (from 10% to 12%).

The proportion of households with only adult children living with their parents was higher than across Wales

Percentage of households that where a parent lived with their adult children across local authority areas in Wales and the average across Wales, March 2011

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Area report data

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